Ballack was among the senior players to miss Germany's first
two Group Four matches - a 6-0 win away to Liechtenstein and a
3-3 draw away to Finland.

The 32-year-old captain has recovered from his foot injury
and is back along with his preferred central midfield partner
Frings, who missed last month's games with a broken nose.

Centre back Mertesacker and full back Arne Friedrich also
return from injury.

Missing from the squad for the games against Russia in
Dortmund on Oct. 11 and Wales in Moenchengladbach on Oct. 15 is
the Real Madrid centre back Christoph Metzelder.

"He's very much part of our plans but we agreed that as he
has not had much match practice at Real Madrid this season he
would be better staying there and working on his fitness," Löw
said on the German FA website.

Loew also brought in bruising midfielder Jermaine Jones and
young goalkeeper Rene Adler as back-up for first choice Robert
Enke.